Voting machine proof and record sheet pack



July 19, 1960 o. F. swANsoN VOTING MACHINE PROOF AN@ RECORD SHEET PACK Filed April 9 2 Sheets-Sheet l nel..

Juy 19, 1960 o. F. swANsoN VOTING MACHINE PROOF AND RECORD SHEET PACK Filed m11 9, 195e 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 TIG. 3

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3 5.5 s uw mm U s ww l m ma K sw mm 1, C mm W W A A m/ En E O R wpmc PP @,P w 4 a HH A@ (41 4 NN., M CU 5 ATTORNEYS- United States Patent O Oscar F. Swanson, Jamestown, N.Y., assignor to Automatic Voting Machine Corporation, Jamestown, N.Y.

Filed Apr. 9, 1958, Ser. No. 727,453

4 Claims. (Cl. 101--90) This invention relates to automatic voting machines, and more particularly to improvements as disclosed for example in U.S. Patent 2,737,414 in connection with the voting return sheet printing means in such machines.

A primary object of the invention is to provide irnproved means in such machines for delivery of the printed return sheets therefrom.

Another object is to provide in a machine as aforesaid improved return sheet handling means.

Still another object of the invention is to provide improvements as aforesaid in combination with anV improved printed return sheet pack.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the specification hereinafter.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a voting record sheet pack of the present invention, with portions rolled back to reveal details of the construction;

Fig. 2 is` a diagrammatic side edge view thereof;

Fig. 3. is a fragmentary vertical sectional View through a standard type voting machine employing a record sheet pack of the invention;

Fig. 4 is a front elevational view of the record pack, illustrating diagrammatically, operation thereof; and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view, on enlarged scale, taken along line V-V of Fig. 1.

The invention contemplates a specifically improved means for taking printed return sheet records from the counter-wheels of a standard type automatic voting machine, both prior to and subsequent to a vote taking period. For this puurpose, the voting machine is constructed to accommodate proof and return sheet carbon packs in printing position behind the counterwheel stacks of the voting machine, and arrangement is provided for first taking a recordA of the zero readings of the counterwheels on the proof sheet and on the returnV sheet. Then subsequent to the voting period a printed record is taken of the totalV votes cast for each candidate directly below his name on the return sheet. The present invention provides improvements in the construction of the return sheet pack and in the printing control means, whereby subsequent to the zero printing of the pac it is automatically displaced so that only the proof sheet portion thereof projects into a position accessible to the machine custodian for removal and inspection purposes.

Thus, as shown for example in the drawing herewith, the invention may be embodied in conjunction with a standard type voting machine as disclosed in our prior Patent No. 2,787,414, which includes a banky of stacks or,v columns 30 of counterwheels 32 (Fig. 3). The machine frame portion encompassing the bank of counter columns 30 is arranged to be normally covered by means ofy a hinged door as indicated at 33, and it is to be understood that the machine parts referred to so far are presently standard, and that the present invention relates only to the mechanism for taking printed records of the counterwheel readings; and is not concerned withv the spice mechanism whereby the voters register their votes into the counter mechanisms.

In the mechanism of the present invention a return sheet pack holding device is arranged across the top level of the counter columns, and as shown in the accompanying drawing includes a top bar 35 mounting horizontally extending pins 36 at intervals therealong for supporting the return sheet pack which is indicated. generally at 40 and comprises consecutively disposed cover sheet 41; proof sheet 42; and three return sheets 43, 44, 45, respectively (Fig. 2). A short spacer sheet 46 is provided between the cover sheet and the proof sheet to relieve them of frictional contacts therebetween; and all of the sheets are detachably interconnected in pad form for ease of handling, as by an adhesive coating at the top as indicated at 47.

The return sheet pack is shaped and perforated as indicated at 48 along its upper edge so as to slip-fit upon the frame pins 36, whiley the proof sheet 42 is scored as indicated at 49 so as to be adapted to be severed therefrom, as will be explained hereinafter. The sheets 4i, 42, 43, 44, are all backed by carbon or ink surfaces 50 (Fig` 1). Thus, to prepare the machine for voting, upon opening of the hinged panel 33 normally covering the rear of the counter column compartment, the machine custodian first hangs the pack 40 of return sheetsy upon the pins 36, thus mounting the pack in position behind the counter columns and in contact with the exposed peripheral portions of the counterwheels.

As explained in the earlier patent referred to, in order to print the readings of the counterwheels upon the proof and record sheets, there is provided a traveling platen which is generally in the form of an upright bracket as indicated at 62 in the drawing herewith, which is mounted for horizontal sliding engagement upon a fixed rail 64 (Fig. 3) extending transversely of the rear of the machine and comprising an integral portion of the rigid frame structure thereof. The platen post 62 mounts a series of platen rollers 65 upon vertical axle means in such manner that the rollers 65 are in horizontal registry with the exposed peripheral portions of the counterwheels 32. Thus, the platen post 62 is. disposed rearwardly of the exposed portions of the counter columns, and the rollers 65 are so dimensioned and' arranged thereon that when the paper pack 40 is hung upon the pins 36 and the platen device is moved as from they right side of the pack to the left as viewed in Fig. l, the roller devices 65 will thereupon press the paper pack rmly against the exposed raised numerals of the counterwheels, lthereby causing the inked surfaces to print thev counterwheel zero readings upon the fronts of the proof sheet 42 and the three return sheets 43,. 44, 45. Movements of the platen from one side to another of the machine are conveniently accomplished by any suitable mechanism as disclosed for example in the prior patent aforesaid. l

As explained in the patent previously referred to, the bar 35 carrying the pins 36 may be. so arranged that whenever the platen post 62 is displaced from the right hand end of the machine to the left hand end thereof, the last portion of travel of the platen post to the left causes the pin carrying bar 35 to be, displaced to a lower elevation, thereby lowering the entire record pack relative to its previous elevation during the zero reading printing process. As will be observed by examination of Figs. l, 2, of the drawing, the proof sheet42 of the pack is dimensioned to extend at its lower end somewhat below the bottom edges of the other sheets of the. pack; and the sheets are so dimensioned that when the pack is thus lowered, as explained hereinabove, the bottom' edge of the proofv sheet only projects out through` the delivery opening of the chute 70 (Fig. 3). Thus, the custodian may now grasp the lower edge of the proof sheet and pull down upon it, thus severing the proof sheet from the pack at the perforation line 49, whereupon it pulls free of the machine for inspection purposes. Then upon subsequent return of the platen post from the left hand end of the machine to the right hand end thereof, the record pack will be disposed at a lower elevation than when the zero readings were printed, whereby the voting totals of the counterwheels will be printed on the return sheet at an elevation above the zero readings. Then, upon nal return of the platen 62 to the right hand end of the machine, as explained in the earlier patent, the return sheet pack will be pushed off the pins 36, and thereby released and dumped from the support frame and permitted to slide by gravity downwardly through the chute 70 for recovery and inspection by the machine custodians.

Thus it will be appreciated that when the full pack is first mounted in the voting machine in preparation for a voting session, and when the hinged access door 33 is closed, the entire pack is thereby completely enclosed within the machine in such position as to be inaccessible to unauthorized handling. Then, when the custodian causes the printing platen to move across the back of the machine the zero readings of the counterwheels will be printed on all of the proof and return sheets. At the end of this zero printing travel of the platen the lower edge of the proof sheet only will protrude from the chute, so that the custodian may grasp the proof sheet and pull down upon it so as to sever it from the pack at the score line 49. The proof sheet thereupon may be withdrawn from the machine for inspection purposes, such as to check the zero settings of the counterwheels, Without disturbing the balance of the pack. Meanwhile the latter shifts to operative position to receive the iinal return printings of the co-unterwheels, and remain inaccessible for withdrawal purposes until after the return printings are completed. Thus by virtue of the arrangement of the invention, foolproof handlings of the proof sheet and record sheets are assured, without risk of error on the part of the custodian.

Whereas the drawings and specification hereinabove refers to the use of three return sheets in each pack, it will be understood that any other number thereof may be employed, according to the requirements of any applicable precinct.

Furthermore, only one form of the invention has been 4illustrated and described in detail hereinabove, it will be understood that various changes may be made therein Without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a voting machine having a bank of counter columns arranged in upright side-by-side alignment with the counterwheels thereof arranged in horizontally aligned rows and with peripheral segment portions thereof protruding rearwardly beyond adjacent structure of the voting machine, a voting return printing device comprising, in combination a support mounted upon said voting machine marginally of said bank of counter columns and arranged to be vertically shiftable relative thereto, a record sheet pack comprising a record sheet and a proof Sheet in back-to-face relation with inking means therebetween, means mounting said record sheet pack upon said support to cover the rear surfaces of said protruding mounterwheels, a printing platen comprising a member mounting a series tof concave-faced rollers, said platen being mounted upon said machine so as to be shiftable from end-to-end thereof across the rear faces of said ootunterwheels, said rollers being dimensioned and arranged upon said platen so as to be carried thereby in horizontally traveling directions and to press said record sheet pack against the exposed segment portions of said counterwheels thereby impressing upon said record and proof sheets facsimiles of the readings of said counterwheels, said support being operable automatically upon arrival :of said platen at one end of said machine to shift vertically to thereby cause said record sheet pack to be positioned at an elevation different from that during travel of said platen from one end of said machine to the other thereof preliminary to return travel of said platen, said proof sheet being of longer extent in the direction of said shift and thereby being displaced to a position making it available to be manually pulled out of the machine without disturbing said record sheet, said support being operable automatically upon return of said platen at the rst end of the machine to release said record sheet to fall by gravity out of the machine.

2. In a printing machine including fa normally closed compartment having a discharge chute and encompassing a bank of counterwheels, a proof and record sheet pack holding support above said bank of counterwheels, a platen mounted upon said machine to be movable from end-to-end thereof, said platen being initially disposed at a first end portion of said machine clear of said counterwheelsand a proof and record sheet pack hung upon said support with the bottom edge of said proof sheet eX- tending below said record sheet and within said chute portion of said machine, means operatively connected to said platen for causing the latter to move from one side of said machine to the other, roller means carried by said platen for pressing the proof and record sheet pack against said counterwheels as said platen moves from side-to-side of said machine, said support being operable automatically upon arrival of said platen `at the second end portion of said machine for causing said support to shift downwardly and to thereby cause said proof sheet only to project out of said chute subsequent to a iirst printing of zero readings of said counterwheels on said proof and record sheets, said support being operable automatically upon return of said platen to said iirst end position for releasing said record sheet from said support vthereby said record sheet may fall by gravity out of said c ute.

3. In a voting machine having a bank of counter columns arranged in upright side-by-side alignment with the counterwheels thereof arranged in horizontally aligned rows, a voting return printing device comprising, in combination, a support mounted upon said voting machine above said bank of counter columns and having pins extending horizontally therefrom, a proof and record sheet pack comprising a relatively long proof sheet and a relatively short record sheet and inking means thereon hung` vertically upon said pins to cover the rear surfaces of sa1d counterwheels and having their lower endsdisposed 1n a discharge chute portion of said machine, a printing platen comprising a member mounting a series of rollers and being mounted upon said machine so as to be shiftable from end-to-end thereof across the rear faces of said counterwheels, said rollers being dimensioned `and arranged upon said platen so as to be carried thereby in horlzontally traveling directions while pressing said proof and record pack rmly against said counterwheels thereby impressing upon said proof and record sheets facsimiles of the readings of said counterwheels, said support being operable upon arrival of said platen at one end of said machine to shift saidpack vertically so that the end of said proof sheet only protrudes from said chute and is thereby accessible to the machine custodians, said support being operable upon return of said platen to the other end of said machine to release said record sheet thereby permitting the latter to fall by gravity out of the machine subsequent to receiving a voting record printing thereon. A

4. In a printing machine including a bank of counterwheels, a proof and record sheet pack holding support above said bank of counterwheels, a platen mounted upon said machine to be movable from end-to-end thereof, said platen being normally disposed at a firstend pt'artionl of said machine clear of said counterwheels whereby a proof and record sheet pack may be hung upon said support with the bottom edge of said proof sheet extending below said record sheet and within a chute portion of said machine, means operatively connected -to said platen for causing the latter to mo-ve from one side of said machine to the other, said platen being disposed for pressing the proof and record sheet pack against said counterwheels as said platen moves from side-to-side of said machine, means causing said support tol shift downwardly and thereby projecting said proof sheet only out of said chute subsequent to a 'first printing of zero readings of said counterwheels on said proof and record sheets, said support being operable automatically upon return of said platen to said iirst end position for releasing said record sheet from said support whereby said record sheet may fall by gravity out of said chute.

References Cited in the ie of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

